Forum:
Hi everyone.
I am new to this site, so please bear with me. I have moved to France recently, and have got my trusty Fourtrak with me. Its called Rocky here. Its L registered in England, what year is that?
I need to reregister it here. Has anyone had any experience of doing this?
I am aware I need a certificate of conformity, which I have, I have the written receipt from the previous owner.
am I right in thinking the headlights need to be changed? Whats the cheapest way to go about that? Am relying on you guys out there, youre the experts, me, I'd just rather get on with driving it!
France and UK cars.
I have fiends who moved to France taking their UK cars. They found the task of registation, changing number plates, very lengthy. I believe you will need to prove the cars are genuine and conform to the manufacturers build - a French MOT was not proof. One car was announced to be 'a caravan' since its name did not exist in France. I recollect it took them many frustrating months to geth their cars recognised. Good luck ... the French can be very difficult. PS speaking French may be your only hope of getting them registered!
Not expecting an easy time!
Thank you Mace for your reponse.We agree, our mission may not be easy, but I dont want to have to part with my Fourtrak
Can anyone help with answers to my question please?
France and UK cars.
I have fiends who moved to France taking their UK cars. They found the task of registation, changing number plates, very lengthy. I believe you will need to prove the cars are genuine and conform to the manufacturers build - a French MOT was not proof. One car was announced to be 'a caravan' since its name did not exist in France. I recollect it took them many frustrating months to get their cars recognised. Good luck ... the French can be very difficult. PS speaking French may be your only hope of getting them registered!
REGISTEING IN FRANCE...EASY YES!!!!!
Don't be daunted by tales from other Brits,a lot of it is because they don't accept the paper work as necessary and become frustrated and impatient with not understanding why an EEC accepted car is not always straight forward to register in France. I have witnessed bad attitude from Brits on this and other things like health and seen the French dig their heels in and make things difficult. The French love paper and thrive on photo copying everything. As long as you have all the paper work you will find it quite easy and friendly.
I have lived in Mayenne France for five + years and have two Sportraks. Yes in some areas it can be time consuming and unlike yours the Sportrak never had a conformity certificate so was more lengthy. Basically you need to go on-line and obtain a Form ofDe Immatriculation and complete it. The car must have at least 18 months control Technique remaining on it. At the same time download a form of importation from the DRIRE. I think it is a form of "estrangement" for the car. Complete that. Take all these with the bill of sale and the UK V5 document plus your passport and the eternal EDF bill firstly to the HOUSE of FINANCE to obtain a Import Tax certificate, FREE. This must be done first. Then take the lot to the Prefecture or sous Prefecture of your area/department. If you have the conformity certificate it should just take days from the application to them calling to ask you to collct the new CARTE GRISE . Without it, well MONTHS and an inspection by the DRIRE. Since my fist experience, which took 11 Months, I have, in 2006, imported a further Sportrak and that took 5 days, so things have improved. The cost in Mayenne for the Sportrak was €69 for the DRIRE and €128 for the CARTE GRISE + €28 for new plates.
As for lights the first passed both the CT and the Drire on stickers behind headlamp protectors. The 2nd passed the CT but I was warned that it wouldn't if not changed for it's next in 2 years. Beng a facelift the new lights were €517 from Normandy Ditributors, Rouen in Normandy incl: p&P. I have since changed the preface lift and these I got from a firm in Italy via ebayfor €112, much cheaper but the faclifts include all the adjusters witin huge plastic units wheras the older type are just retangular lenses and body, much like the Fourtrak. You will need to change your rear fog to the other side or add another to avoid a comment on the Control Technique
Is it worth it? Yes very much so! as you save on annual MOT's and road tax plus you retain an excellent vehicle and I prefer RHD in France to LHD as you can see the ditches where many LHd's end up. There are a lot of Ex pats who would not agree but I have registered 6 cars in France and still have four, all imported and now on French plates. Don't get daunted by the papers as long as you have a set plus an EDF bill you will be ok.
You need: Control Tech. (18 months remaining), UK V5, Form of Conformity from Manufacturer (ONLY IF THE DRIRE DEMAND ONE), bill of sale(make one if you haven't) Immatriculation Certificate Application form, Import Taxation Certificate (House of Finance), Form for the DRIRE (weights and Measures Inspectorate) ( Prefecture will supply), passport, insurance, and an EDF bill as proof of residency, cheque book. Ihope Ihaven't missed anytingbut my advice is take everything you can even pictures of the car.
Since my first applications most forms are now in both French and English so they are tying to be helpful, 5 years ago English was rejected.
Good Luck
Mike
M J Young